Child Protection

Under the Education Act 2002 (section 175), schools must make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Parents/carers should know that the law requires all school staff to pass on information which gives rise to a concern about a child's welfare, including risk from neglect, physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The staff will seek, in general, to discuss any concerns with the parent/carer, and where possible inform them of the referral to Social Care. This will only be done where such discussion will not place the child at increased risk of significant harm.

In accordance with local Information Sharing protocols, we will ensure that information is shared effectively and sensitively. Information will only be shared with other services where it is deemed necessary and proportionate to ensure that children and young people are safe and receive the right service.

Schools will seek advice from Social Care when they have reasonable cause to suspect a child may be suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

Occasionally, concerns are passed on which are later shown to be unfounded. Parents/carers will appreciate that the designated person for child protection was carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the law and acting in the best interests of all children.

In brief, the school has a 'Duty of Care', which means that any issue regarding a child's welfare that is causing concern we will follow up. Sometimes this will mean contacting Social Services. We will always hold the child at the centre of our actions. If we make a mistake then we are sorry, but in our' Duty of Care' we are bound to report concerns, on the premise of 'better to be safe than sorry'.